Harvest Kitty Love!

"Something in the Pumpkin Patch!"15x30", acrylic on canvas

There's something in the pumpkin patch! 

This sweet painting is inspired by a Stray Cats song ["...black and orange stray cats sittin' on a fence..."] and combined with my love of Autumn. These kitties seem to be enjoying a very special moment in the pumpkin patch at my favorite time of day: dusk. Something is in the pumpkin patch that has their furry little heads tilted. I wonder what it could be? Well, the rest of the story is up to you!

I thought I could use a sweet decorative favor to adorn a wall in our new home this lovely harvest season. You can enjoy this sweet print, too, hot off the press, for a very special fall fundraiser. My studio needs a new festival display tent so that I can continue to meet you all on the streets around town next year! I'm offering these prints for only $40 and with each purchase, you'll receive a very special little surprise gift from me! 

Title: "Something in the Pumpkin Patch!"

Print size: 9x18"

This is a giclée print on archival paper with long lasting rich pigment inks.

Prints come rolled in a tube and shipping is free.

If you'd like to get a super sweet print for your home, click here to => Purchase a print!

Btw, if you're interested in purchasing the original painting, it is available at:

Marietta Square Artists Attic
120 South Park Square, Suite 207
Marietta, GA 30060
Tel: 770-298-9207
(Original painting is 15"x30" on 1.5" deep stretched canvas. Shipping costs apply, but the gallery is happy to box it up for you!)

Thank you for visiting me at the many festivals around town and the Marietta Square (Saturday) Artisan Market for 5 years now, and thank you for supporting my art! I can't wait to see you next year in my new tent!

Have a wonderful and safe Halloween!
It'll be my 4th wedding anniversary, so I'll be celebrating!
Regards,
Rebecca Salcedo

Harvest Kitty Love!

All journeys come with some mystery

"Rua"
36x36", acrylic on wood panel

She travels these woods daily, but she never reveals a path with her reticent footsteps. She always feels she has company. The forest climbs to meet her. The trees aren't alone in their longing to be near her, and they, too, will wait for her return. 

All journeys come with some mystery.

This painting is available at the Marietta Square Artist's Attic.

Have a nice day.
:)

All journeys come with some mystery

Flowers are blooming in the Attic!

Eager Awakenings
10x20", acrylic on wood panel

May brings flowers.  It's about time! 

...and my Ethereal Flowers are blooming in the Attic!

I'm very excited to share the cool news that I have been given the opportunity to occupy my own little room at the Marietta Square Artist's Attic! I'll begin arranging the space today to prepare for first Friday tomorrow.  Hey, it'll be May 1st - what a perfect occasion to bring you some fresh flowers! I hope you will enjoy seeing the space blossom!

Fridays are fun, but first Fridays are the most fun. All of Atlanta comes alive for the arts, and I know I mention it every chance I get, but Marietta Square is the epicenter on these special evenings, so come out for a stroll tomorrow night and see what I'm always talking about!

The Artist's Attic is above The Local Exchange on the south side of the Square next door to Sweet Treats Ice Cream Parlor and we are open 7 days a week. You can find me upstairs working the gallery on most Thursday and Sunday afternoons, and of course, tomorrow evening.


Have a nice day,
Rebecca

Flowers are blooming in the Attic!

Pesky Floaters

Blue Floater

Some thing got in my eye. I had a cleaver in one hand and I was holding down an onion with the other. It wasn't the best timing. Just as I thought I could live with whatever was swimming around on my eyeball until the onion was chopped, some of my bangs descended and began itching my eyebrow, not above the eye plagued with debris, which was already winking, but the other. I then found myself spontaneously winking both eyes while blowing and directing the air with my bottom lip in the direction of my wile hair.  It was only then I realized that I had my reading glasses on and they had fallen so far down on my nose that I looked like a old man behind the counter at the research library.  I was pinching my air supply with the glasses and wondered why I was getting a bit of a headache. Of course, now, I have a full blown headache and I can't breathe. I began to cry. Not from the dark humor in this experience, but because that was simply the most reactive onion I had ever sliced into. Thinking that the act of crying would fix the floater issue, I then reached up with my forearm to push my glasses back in place further up on my nose and caught the edge of the glasses on the chiffon blouse I wore to work and hadn't yet changed since I arrived home. I tried to pull my arm away but my hair also became stuck in my glasses. So, there I stood in the kitchen, winking both eyes in a very undignified alternating pattern, like I was trying to make a moving picture out of a still drawing, stuck to my glasses from both sides, my hair and my blouse, and threatening to make a chop salad of myself with the knife wielding hand. This all happened in seconds, which explains why the knife was still in my hand (I think.) At that very moment my husband walked in, smiled, took the knife and asked if I wanted to order takeout. I nodded. yes.

(I repainted the background of this earlier posted painting because it just needed to be brighter.)
Have a nice day, Rebecca

Pesky Floaters

Here comes the sun!

Blue Sun Rising
8x10", acrylic on wood panel

Happy Easter!

Have a nice day,
Rebecca

Here comes the sun!

..a pretty rock!

"Look, Mommy!"
5x7", acrylic on wood panel

When I was little, I used to badger my Mother constantly, "MOMMY, MOM, Mamma! MOM! Mom! Mom! MOMMY! Mawmy! momma!" -you get the idea. I can imagine the delight that a parent experiences when a child first discovers that their hands can smash things, like food, that expensive delicate flowers break easily, that china shatters in the neatest patterns, that utensils make cool noises when they hit the floor, that markers work great on walls, and furniture.  This painting wasn't inspired by any of those experiences, it was just a simple discovery.. "Look, Mommy! ..a pretty rock!"  "Yes, that IS a pretty rock! Let's take it home and get it wet!" That's what I did with my Mommy, anyway.

Have a nice evening,
Rebecca

..a pretty rock!

Blue with a chance of sunny..

"Happy blue sunshine on my shoulders"
6x6", acrylic on wood panel

I'm basking in the glow of overcast skies this morning in Acworth, Georgia. What's it like where you are?  Here's a little blue flower getting some rays from a flowery sun!

Tonight's the opening day of First Friday Art Walk in Marietta Square!  I'll be walking the square to see all the awesome local talent, art, music and munchies!  Then, you'll be able to find me at the Marietta Square Artist's Attic until we close shop around 9pm.  It's supposed to storm tonight, but not until much later, after the art walk is all done, so don't be afraid to come out and swing with the old, the young and the tragically hip in the square. See you then!

(The above painting will be available at the Acworth Art Fest, April 11th & 12th, Historic Downtown Acworth.)

Have a nice day,
Rebecca

Blue with a chance of sunny..

Gearing up for a hoppin' good time!

Green Beauty 6x6", acrylic on wood panel

..and what a happy Spring it is! We are indeed the happy reapers of our cultivating hands here at Smelly Rhino Studio.   I am posting my newsletter tonight as a blogpost so you can see an example! If you are interested in periodic news about my new work and invitations to events, please feel free to use the subscribe link on the right column of my blog to sign up!  Here's what's upcoming this month. I hope you'll join me for some of the festivities as this magnificent Spring works its way toward Summer! First off, you'll find me at every First Friday Art Walk in Marietta Square, whether I'm in our gallery (Marietta Square Artist's Attic) or below on the sidewalk displaying some new fun paintings! If you've not experienced the magic of this monthly flight of art and music and libation fancy, you are really missing out! It's a treat that anyone will savor!  It's for families, kids, date night, girls night out, whateves!  Musicians will be on every corner, all the galleries in the square will be open until 9 as well as most of the boutiques and restaurants, which will all host local artists inside their establishments and on the sidewalks. It is the best evening of every month, and you really need to get out and treat yourself! The fine galleries of Marietta Square include 2 Rules Fine Art at the top of the Square (85 Church St), DK Gallery in the middle of the block on the west side (25 Park Square), The Red Door and the MSAA (Marietta Square Artist's Attic, above The Local Exchange) are both on the south side of the Square (48 & 120 S. Park Square, respectively.) Next, I hope you will join us in Acworth on April 11th and 12th for the Acworth Art Fest, a weekend show with over 100 artists and fine crafters, food from Henry's Louisiana Grill and other yummy vendors, a performance stage for bands, kids play area, and maybe even a contest or two! Ours will be booth 8, near the East entrance across from the stage! After that, April 25th will be our first appearance on the street at the Marietta Square Artist's Market, a regular Saturday market for artists and crafters, held on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month through November.  Carolyn de Turenne will be joining me again all year at the Saturday Market as we continue to combine art with fashion & design. You will find her one of a kind handbags, pillows and decor items irresistible. Can't wait to see you all again for a wonderful artful year! Have a nice evening, Rebecca Salcedo Smelly Rhino Studio - reeking of creativity since 2006

Gearing up for a hoppin' good time!

Be a happy reaper! Sow your garden now!

New Parents
6x6", acrylic on wood panel

It's planting season and if you haven't started yet, get out there this weekend and get dirty! Soon, you'll reap the rewards of your efforts and your little family of garden lovelies will blossom before your eyes. Just think, you could be the proud parent of a sweet daisy like these two are, or a dahlia, or maybe a tomato (the gift that keeps on giving!)

Another in my 2015 Ethereal Flower series, a new daisy family welcomes their first little lovely into the world! Visit my booth at the Acworth ArtFest April 11th & 12th to see my sweet little Ethereal Flowers rising up to enjoy the sun! (fingers crossed.)

Acworth Art Fest

Have a great day,
Rebecca

Be a happy reaper! Sow your garden now!

I'm Baroque, but I'm happy!

It's been a while since the last Ethereal Flower left my studio and many have asked when they will bloom again.  Well, they're back! For 2015, you can expect a long running season of Ethereal Flowers of all sizes! (yay!) The first to awaken: A petite floating blue stringy sunflower!

I've been working like a mad girl preparing for my second year at the Acworth ArtFest, coming up on April 11th and 12th in Historic Acworth on Main St.  Here, you will find over 100 fine art and craft vendors.  I will be near the beginning of the festival in booth 8 (third booth from the beginning, across from the stage!)  My flowers will be hanging out with me, so stop by and say hello!  After the Acworth Artfest, you can expect to see me at the Saturday market in Marietta Square (2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month) and of course, you can always find me and my work at the Marietta Square Artist's Attic; A Local Gallery.

"Floater"
6x6; Acrylic on wood panel

Speaking of blooming, it's always a good time to talk about music, since it helps me paint and be happy!  This morning's mix is a bit of Baroque! I love it. Who doesn't? Not a fan of Classical music? Trust me, you love Baroque music! You DO!-- you just don't know you do! Hey, without Baroque, we would not have the chord progression of 90% of today's modern songs! (maybe more than 90%)

...Here, I'll prove it, listen to these quick, funny and enlightening musical comedy sketches!

Pachelbel!
and, here's another super funny medley...Axis of Awesome!

Acworth Art Fest

Marietta Square Artist's Attic on Facebook

Marietta Square Artist's Market

I'm Baroque, but I'm happy!

Thinking of Tripp...

Temple Circles18x24", acrylic on Canvas

For some reason, The red circles are almost like alarm bells in a fire station, but believe me, my feelings about this painting are really far from there.  I was early into this painting when its name, Temple Circles came to mind, because rather than the jolt of an alarm,  I was really thinking of the serenity of a pagoda.  I love the wispy feel of the eaves of pagodas, those beautiful downward sloping rooflines that just at the last moment, turn so graciously toward Heaven in such an organic movement as the branches of an evergreen would.  I've never traveled to Asia, but I know I would love the landscape. I often think of that type of scenery when I'm painting. Not sure what that is telling me, but the imagery seems to define peace, and I like peace. I am drawn to it. 

As I was finishing up, I was reminded of Tripp, a very young man, for whom I had the joy of painting a mural. He lives in India now with his parents. I think a painting in the future may play on the vibe of Tripp's mural, which is a sweet tree with nesting owls, from whose branches hang what we lovingly refer to as croquet balls, but were really inspired by the Turkish Eye that Tripp's parents brought home from one of their 'trips.' (They travel so much that I'm sure naming their son was easy.)  Thinking of you, today, Tripp. I hope you are putting your cape to good use!  

Have a nice day, Rebecca

Thinking of Tripp...

I just needed an abstraction

"Spock's Red Matter Ships"
(or Red Mobile Sky at Night)
Acrylic on canvas
18x24"

It's typical for my imagination to make up stories that appeal to my science fiction psyche.  I had painted a very small piece entitled, "Red Mobile" and imagined it as a sort of flying rig. Who knows what a rig in the sky does, but Isaac Asimov would, so there I was, thinking about the things that only happen in the future (my imagination.) Anyway, as I finished this new larger piece, I decided it was going to be about flying things, again... 

Then, one of the great icons of science fiction and also a very talented artist, Leonard Nimoy passed away yesterday. Sigh. I really loved him, I was a huge fan of his Mr. Spock and also of his photography and his great intellect and spirit.  So, I am dedicating this piece to him, renaming the piece after Spock's Red Matter ship.  Three of them, a magical number, fly together now.  Farewell, friend.

RIP Mr. Nimoy, you have always been and shall always be, remembered.

Have a nice day,

Rebecca

I just needed an abstraction

Memories of the Coast

Memories of the coast I

I miss home, the good old coastal views of the Pacific Northwest. The tide pools - Hermit crabs, sea anemones. The serene and often very rugged and dangerous beauty.  When you're a water baby, you love all bodies of water.  I don't take them for granted, I take lots of trips to walk my dogs at the local lake near my home here in Historic Acworth in northern Georgia.  Sometimes, I go there just to breathe in the view, feeling so lucky to have it just a few blocks from my home.  I am quite fond of the Carolina and Georgia coastlines, too!

I think wherever your heart lies, if you are soothed by a water view, you will enjoy this piece. 

Have a nice day,

Rebecca

Ps. Since I posted this thread this afternoon, my husband came home and found that I had painted out a very minute ray of light and it was the thing that made him happy, so I spent the evening repainting the entire sky to have a sun rising on the horizon, just for him.  This painting could have been from either coast before, but a white sun rising on the ocean only happens on the east coast, so you imagine where you are now.  I see the grassy waters of South Carolina. You?

Memories of the Coast

Sitting and wishing

Viewing Angle, 6x6", acrylic on wood panel

Go to auction

Sitting -watching - reading - working. I read that we are pretty much screwed. Unless you are a landscaper or a professional dog walker, our sedentary lifestyles are doing more damage to our hearts, respiratory and vascular systems than our minuscule 30 minute effort of daily exercise can combat. Programmers, painters, receptionists...am I talking to you?  Be sure to give yourself something pleasant to look at while you're slowly spreading your underside into a chair killing yourself with your 4th coffee and a cronut. Ok, I'm talking to me. I am the biggest sitter. I figure if I don't talk gently, I'll be sure to get up and move more often. (apologies to the programmers, painters and receptionists.)  It's a good thing I have dogs because they force me to take them out at least 3 times a day.

This is another random abstract from my return to my studio. I'm feeling good about getting back to work and now I am tasked with working on my Christmas orders, so apart from the sleeping dogs next to me, my studio is beginning to be a flurry of activity.  I think maybe this season I may actually pay for Pandora, because I'm tired of putting on AC/DC radio and never hearing Back In Black. Perhaps with the paid subscription, they'll finally play it the tunes that apparently cost more to air.

I've never had a cronut. Where can I get one?

Have a nice day!

Sitting and wishing

Concrete thinking for an abstract artist, Olé!

Rootmatique, 6x6", acrylic on canvas
Go to the auction

I'm sick of commercials approved by politicians who say nothing. If you're going to say nothing, at least have your mouth closed, that's what I think. 

When I finished remodeling my studio, I decided to get back to painting by doing a week of abstracts. Just loose fun, no tight detailed realism. Nothing contrived. Just paint, brushes, palette knives, even fingers, and a whole lot of blank surfaces on which to play. I had decided to just be willing to wreck every canvas I touched for a whole week in order to break the block I had been going through and get back to work! At first, I hated them all, all 20 of them, but the main reason for this was because I showed them to other people, people who were not really prepared to see them, people were not only use to seeing my usual stuff, but who were also themselves prone to favor realism. Note to self: DON'T EVER DO THAT AGAIN! - initial comments only gave me anxiety about my week's work, then I felt bad about my decision to share the paintings with them, thinking I probably just wasn't ready for abstracts. But, then something changed. Over the next couple of weeks, I realized that if you want to just do something, don't ask permission, and especially don't ask for approval! It's not about anyone else, it's about you! (It's always been about me.)  Also, on the flip side of that, I had to remember the productive spirit of Andy Warhol: It's not up to me to judge my work; just put it out there and make more art!  Once I began to give myself permission to be ok with letting loose, (and also not asking anyone what they think, either), I began to like the new work, a lot, and now that I'm ok with it, I can continue! 

Have a nice day,

Rebecca 

Concrete thinking for an abstract artist, Olé!

Things that are working for me; note #2

Flowers.

#1 Green, 6x6" - Ethereal Flowers, Series I

Acrylic on wood panel

This is officially the last available panel of my Ethereal Flowers, Series I.  I thought I was sold out, but this little 6x6" panel was hanging out in a flower show downtown at the Artists Atelier Gallery & Studios, a neat community of really good fine artists, whose workspaces and showspaces are combined and delightfully in full view of the patron-visitor! Stop by Tuesday - Saturday, on Miami Circle in Atlanta and take home a work of art from the hands of a local artist. So, the flower show ended today and I was able to bring this piece home and offer her to you.  

I have recently opened a little gallery on Daily Paintworks, where you'll find only original paintings from painters all over the world., and me. I'll be offering paintings that occur in a series. I hope you'll visit my shop. I've provided a link below, which will continue to be available on the sidebar after this blogpost has moved down the list into oblivion. 

Have a nice day, Rebecca

Things that are working for me; note #2

#2; 29 faces

Wow, another day, another face.  Would you believe it already?  lol

Cassie in progress
To order your own, visit my Etsy shop

This one isn't quite done, but she's getting close enough I can post her and go memorize my lines for my acting class tomorrow.

While I'm on a roll, I'm on another challenge worth mentioning. No wheat!  (hahahah, on a ROLL! get it? flour?! ok, never mind.)  To top that off, for giggles, I've also "mostly" eliminated the other white starches: sugar, potatoes and rice are relegated to just one day per week.  I'm on Day 6 today and feeling rather fantastic!  Can I get a woot woot?  Eric just handed me a sugar free cocoa with marshmallows. (I didn't say I'm perfect, pretty sure I made that very clear!)


Have a good night,

Rebecca


“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” 
― Anne Frank

#2; 29 faces

Wordless Wednesday

(click image for video)

Wordless Wednesday

So three Japanese Raccoon Dogs walk into a bar

One Tanuki, Two Tanuki, Three Tanuki..

Three Tanukis
8x10; acrylic on Masonite

I have painted a lot of silly things over the past four years. Really silly things.

People can ask me for something special and be confident they will get it. Occasionally, they know exactly what they want and I help them by interpreting their idea and getting on canvas. Most of the time, however, they know they want something but aren't sure exactly what that is. So, they come to me and tell me their story, and I ask lots of questions and get lots of pictures from them. Then, the creative process begins. They usually remain in the dark after that having no idea what they are getting until they open the package. That is part of the fun, the element of surprise. and it's not just for them, that is the really fun part for me!

This is one of those examples.

The client, Melissa, told me a great story about her honeymoon in Japan. While in Japan, they noticed that all the gift shops had this little figurine for sale, called a Tanuki. The Tanuki is actually thought of as a raccoon dog, even though they are their own species. Most people get a chuckle looking at the statue and noticing what disproportionately large, um, 'man parts' it has! Maybe that is what gets one asking, "What the heck is this little guy's story?"

Over the years, the Tanuki has become folklore, coming to symbolize good fortune, despite their reputation for being mischievous and shape shifting, being able to fool just about anyone for any reason, even sometimes sinister ones.

"The Tanuki has eight traits that are supposed to bring good fortune:
The eight traits are: a hat to be ready to protect against trouble or bad weather; big eyes to perceive the environment and help make good decisions; a sake bottle that represents virtue; a big tail that provides steadiness and strength until success is achieved; over-sized testicles that symbolize financial luck; a promissory note that represents trust or confidence; a big belly that symbolizes bold and calm decisiveness; and a friendly smile.^" -[wiki]

[Wiki...Statues of Tanuki can be found outside many Japanese temples and restaurants, especially noodle shops. These statues often wear big, straw hats and carry bottles of sake in one hand, and a promissory note or empty purse in the other hand. Tanuki statues always have large bellies. The statues also usually show humorously large testicles, typically hanging down to the floor or ground, although this feature is sometimes omitted in contemporary sculpture.
^{read more about Tanuki here}]

So, I can now say for the record, if anyone was ever keeping score, that I have painted testicles. Proud and loud. I asked the client if she wanted that part included in the painting...her response was, "Yes!-but I know you will do it tastefully!" I hope I did your bidding Melissa, the pleasure was certainly all mine.

This is one of my favorite commissions yet! (I always say that, so keep them coming, please!)

So three Japanese Raccoon Dogs walk into a bar

Wordless Wednesday ...Drink and Be Merry!

"Abstract Wine Bottles II"
For Victor

Wordless Wednesday ...Drink and Be Merry!